One that got away...

Who is Badou Ndiaye?

Taken under the wing of Patrick Vieira, he was a law student who headed into the Arctic Circle to chase his dream (wearing just a T-shirt).

We like this quote about what to call him.

Actually my real name is Papa (or Pape) Alioune but in my own country, people named Alioune are called Badou.

Badou means nothing … but Ndiaye means a lot. For example when I was a child and cried for any reason they would say, ‘A Ndiaye should not cry.’

A Ndiaye is a warrior. It represents courage, principles and a lion. I am a Ndiaye.

17:52

A Deffo starter?

It seems Watford will have a new player in their ranks when they take on Stoke at the bet365 Stadium tomorrow night. Loan signing Gerard Deulofeu looks set to be thrown into the action as the Hornets bid to overturn a dramatic slump in form that has seen them manage just one win from their last 11 league games. The former Everton midfielder has arrived from Barcelona for the rest of the season.

16:50

Transfer update

Ndiaye looks like being only new signing while young striker could be on his way out.

Badou flying in...

Where could he have been flying this morning? Here it turns out... he’s put up a photo of Clayton Wood on his Facebook page too.

15:37

Is Badou in the building?

15:19

Somebody is up for tomorrow's big game...

15:15

But will he start tomorrow?

14:53

Merse: Watford on glass mountain in moccasin slippers...

Watford are really struggling at the moment. They sacked the manager and got Javi Gracia in quickly so they’ll be hoping for a quick turnaround in fortunes. I think they’re in real big trouble though. They’re the team on a glass mountain with moccasin slippers on.I expect Stoke to win this game comfortably to add to Watford’s misery.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0

14:25Peter Smith

Jack Harrison lines up for team photo

In Staffordshire! The problem is that it was with the Forsbrook Butchers Arms. And it was 2003.

13:57Peter Smith

Man City ready to splash £60m on winger?

After scuppering Stoke’s plans for Jack Harrison, Pep Guardiola is ready to spend very big on Riyad Mahrez according to the Sun.

Darren Fletcher and Riyad Mahrez battle for possession during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Leicester City. (Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

13:49

Some golden oldies for the oldies out there...

12:58Peter Smith

11 years ago today...

Michael Duberry made his final appearance for Stoke, a 0-0 draw with Ipswich at the Brit. He joined Reading the following day.

The centre-back had helped to keep 35 clean sheets in 95 starts for the club.

Michael Duberry waves to Stoke City fans after what transpired to be his final game for the club, against Ipswich Town on January 30, 2007. (Image: Alex Severn)

12:52Peter Smith

Can Stoke end 12-month run without back-to-back wins?

The Potters haven’t won two consecutive Premier League games since January 2017, which included a home victory against Watford.

Paul Lambert salutes the Boothen End after his first match as Stoke City manager. (Image: Mark Scott)

12:51Peter Smith

Watford's new boss bounce?

This will be Javi Gracia’s first Premier League game in charge of Watford; none of their previous five managers in the competition have won their first game, with Graham Taylor and Aidy Boothroyd losing, and Quique Sanchez Flores, Walter Mazzarri and Marco Silva drawing.

Gracia’s appointment means Watford are the first Premier League club to have had two Spanish managers, after Flores.

If that sounds exotic, no team has used more players than Watford in the Premier League this season (27, level with Everton), while the 16 different nationalities fielded by the Hornets is also a league-high.

Quique Sanchez Flores spent one season in charge at Watford. (Image: OLI SCARFF)

12:48Peter Smith

The Watford gap

Watford arrive at Stoke tomorrow with new manager Javi Gracia tasked with kick-starting a faltering season.

The Hornets won 18 points in their first 12 Premier League games (eighth most in the division) but have won just eight in their subsequent 12 (second fewest). No team has a bigger negative points disparity over the 12 games than Watford (10, level with Burnley).

New Watford manager Javi Gracia. (Image: Joe Giddens)

12:42

Announcement unlikely today

Tymon ready to go on the attack...

Teen defender Josh Tymon says he was eager to go to MK Dons after a stop-start season for Stoke City. The 18-year-old’s loan with the League One club was confirmed today, barely six months after he joined Stoke from relegated Hull City.

He told the MK Dons website: “I am very happy to be here. It has been a stop-start season for me so far at my parent club, and when I heard this offer on the line I was eager to come.

“I class myself as an attacking full-back. When I met (Dons boss) Dan Micciche he told me he likes his full-backs to attack, so that appealed to me straight away. The lads here seem great and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Tymon to MK Dons - confirmed

11:10Peter Smith

Young Stoke striker joins South Shields

Jack Devlin left Stoke City last Friday after being given a chance to impress in the club’s academy. He had been spotted scoring goals in the North East non-league - and that’s where he has returned, joining Graham Fenton at South Shields.

11:09

Ndiaye taking a pay cut...

Reports coming out of Turkey suggest Badou Ndiaye has taken a pay cut to join Stoke City. The deal is still on course to be announced before the transfer window closes, despite claims of late interest from Inter Milan. Turkish newspaper Sabah says it will be a club record deal for Galatasaray.

Badou Ndiaye.

10:51

Happy birthday, big man......

10:47

Why victory over Watford is vital for Potters...

Oatcake fanzine editor, Martin Smith, has a stark warning for the Potters... can they afford to believe there are three worse teams in the Premier League to save them from the drop? Here’s his latest Sentinel column...

Paul Lambert celebrates his side's opening goal during the Premier League match between Stoke City and Huddersfield Town at the bet365 Stadium. (Image: Gareth Copley)